Kidnappers Demand N10 Million Ransom For Abducted UNTH Director

On Tuesday, March 12, kidnappers abducted the deputy director of nursing services from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku Ozalla, in Enugu State. They are now demanding a ransom of N10 million for her release.

The kidnappers had on Tuesday morning invaded the hospital and abducted the nurse and two other persons, including security personnel of the hospital.

While one of the hospital staff kidnapped, had been rescued by the police, the kidnappers, our correspondent learned, established contact with the family of the nurse, demanding the sum of N10 million ransom from them.

A source from the hospital told our correspondent that kidnappers called the family that Tuesday evening.

He said: “After the shooting incident that led to her abduction, her phone was switched off. All efforts to reach her mobile number failed. Everyone was afraid the worst might have happened until in the evening when the phone number of one of her family members started ringing and it was them.

“From what we heard from the family, the kidnappers called and demanded N10 million. That was all they could say.”

Meanwhile, the police reacted to the rescue of the security man attached to the hospital.

In a statement issued by Daniel Ndukwe on Wednesday, the state police command said: “The security man, alleged to have been abducted alongside a female nurse by armed hoodlums in the morning hours of March 12, 2024, at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area, has been rescued by Police Operatives.

“He was rescued at Ishi-Ozalla in the same local government area at about 11.45 p.m. on the same date of the incident, following the intense operations immediately launched to rescue the victims and apprehend the assailants.”

It noted that the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the police operatives and the complementary teams from the Neighborhood Watch Group, Forest Guards, and Local Vigilantes to ensure that everything is done to rescue the female nurse and arrest the hoodlums.

He enjoined members of the public, particularly residents of the Ituku-Ozalla community and environs, to report any suspected individuals found within their residential areas or in the forest, by calling 08099854883 or emailing [email protected].